I started putting sparkling water in a wine glass at night. Eventually, I just made sure that I had a glass of something- plain water, sparkling water, tea, etc. close by and it helped cut the psychological craving for alcohol.
Also, time helps. I've done dry January and noticed that after 2-3 weeks cold turkey, my association between drinking=reward/relaxation/stress relief weakens. Buying a great bottle of wine to bring home and thinking you'll have just one glass--no. It's better not to have any alcohol in the house.

I wrote the liver post today. I didn't drink enough to have any sort of withdrawal.
What helped - I found alcohol free spirits and learned to make some very tasty drinks with them.
Favorite - Jalapeno margarita with spirits free tequila, a little pineapple juice, agave, , jalapeno, salted rim, so good.

The naked mind.

I did things like exercise more to deal with anxiety and I started drinking carbonated juices at night to satisfy my “I need to drink something” craving. Then I stopped that too.

I feel fantastic. I do drink once every six months which is enough to remember why I quit doing it regularly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is probably worth talking to your doctor. I was a daily drinker but not as high in volume, and I read This Naked Mind and did the 30 day experiment. If you drink a higher volume it might not be safe to quit cold turkey, so it's important to do it under medical supervision. I found it easier to not drink at all than to cut back or set rules for myself.

Cutting back from two glasses a day does not require medical supervision.

I went from two a day to a few a week. For me it does require distractions and monitoring. It’s so easy to slip back into habits (one daily) for me. Good luck!!

I quit cold turkey. My spirit was being stolen and I realized how lost I really was. I mostly drank to reduce anxiety. Once I conquered that in my mind I didn't need liquid medication. Been 14 years. I also quit drinking coffee too. That was harder. Physically hard. The cobweb feeling all day, the severe headaches, dragging ass all day every single day. Took months to come out of that. Now I can't even stand the smell of coffee. I still do coffee for my husband but I drink none of it.
My thought process is clean, my energy is still there, no cravings. I drank coffee until 3 pm every day, once I detoxed I never looked back. Caffeine is a very powerful drug. I'd even say it's hateful.

Anonymous wrote:It is probably worth talking to your doctor. I was a daily drinker but not as high in volume, and I read This Naked Mind and did the 30 day experiment. If you drink a higher volume it might not be safe to quit cold turkey, so it's important to do it under medical supervision. I found it easier to not drink at all than to cut back or set rules for myself.

Cutting back from two glasses a day does not require medical supervision.

it takes a commitment like the pp said, inpatient, PHP IOP OP then meetings and finding the right support group.

Imagine if the OP was quitting smoking, everyone in their circles would be very proud of them and congratulating them but with alcohol people ask why? What's wrong with you etc.

I’ve been through all the treatments. But my intake was much, much greater than yours. Inpatient detox and then PHP and IOP worked for me.

- Spouse quit with me.

- I don't have alcohol in the house.

- When I feel like a need a drink (around 5-6pm), notice that feeling and recognize it for what it is.

- Occasionally realize that I used to drink every day and feel happy that I don't now.

I don't think I was super addicted though. I really wish you luck.

I had to get to a point where I left labels behind. I had a problem with alcohol, I have been alcohol free for 5 years. Aa is a good launching place.

I love the book “quit like a woman” by holly Whittaker. Excellent read totally reframed my thinking!

Anonymous wrote:I literally just told my husband "I need to stop drinking every day" and he said "Okay, I'll stop with you" (he didn't drink as much or as often). I didn't replace alcohol with tea or anything - we just moved all the alcohol to floor of a closet and that was it.

This is pretty much what I did. I got diagnosed with high blood pressure and that kind of shocked me into trying to stop. After a couple of weeks (and weekends), it was really much easier than I thought it would be. I moved all the alcohol out of sight. Then, tried to keep myself busy/out of the house/in a situation where I wouldn't want to drink during the weeknights -- I was the one taking kids to activities, running errands, walking the dog. Then, I would go to bed with a book and a melatonin. The first Friday night really sucked, I won't lie, but my DH did it with me, and we just popped a movie on, drank some seltzers, and got through it.

We happened to not really have social plans the first couple of weekends so that probably helped. We did do a date night that would have usually involved us both drinking and ubering. We stayed sober and went to a movie. Was great!

The first time we had friends over, I poured seltzer in a Yeti wine glass. Once I got to a month, I have been telling people that I am on a no alcohol kick for health reasons. Most people don't care at all.

I did not quit with the intent to never drink again but honestly taking alcohol off the table entirely is, to me, far easier than moderation.

Take it a day at a time and string a bunch of wins together.

It is probably worth talking to your doctor. I was a daily drinker but not as high in volume, and I read This Naked Mind and did the 30 day experiment. If you drink a higher volume it might not be safe to quit cold turkey, so it's important to do it under medical supervision. I found it easier to not drink at all than to cut back or set rules for myself.

I literally just told my husband "I need to stop drinking every day" and he said "Okay, I'll stop with you" (he didn't drink as much or as often). I didn't replace alcohol with tea or anything - we just moved all the alcohol to floor of a closet and that was it.

And were previously a binge and/or daily drinker, can you post what you did to stop?

I am trying to quit. Currently in therapy. Want to stop, but drinking is very much a habitual thing for me. Daily wine. Sometimes just two glasses. Sometimes more.